Removable Insole with Embedded Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal tracking devices for children and adults are often cumbersome, easily lost, or limited to specific footwear, making them inconvenient and costly to replace or repair.
Innovation Solution
A removable insole with integrated tracking technology, including a multilayer design with embedded location data receivers and transmitters, allowing for inconspicuous, hands-free tracking capabilities across various footwear options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cell phone or asset tracking device is used for tracking, then tracking capability is provided, but the device needs to be carried or conspicuously strapped to a person, making it easy to be lost, dropped, or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is merged with the insole to form a single integrated unit. The insole becomes the carrier of the tracking device, eliminating the need for separate carrying or strapping mechanisms. This combination allows the tracking function to be worn hands-free and inconspicuously while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insole serves multiple functions: it provides comfort support as a traditional insole while simultaneously serving as the housing and carrier for the tracking device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tracking device carriers and allows the same insole to be used across different footwear options.
2Reliability
If a tracking shoe is used, then tracking functionality is provided, but the user is limited to the pair of shoes with installed technology, and replacement or repair is cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into a removable insole component that can be independently transferred between different footwear. The tracking technology is housed in the insole rather than being permanently integrated into the shoe, allowing the insole to be removed and placed in different pairs of shoes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The insole acts as an intermediary carrier between the user and the footwear. Instead of the tracking device being permanently attached to the shoe, the insole serves as a removable medium that interfaces with various footwear options, enabling flexibility in shoe selection while maintaining continuous tracking functionality.
3Reliability
If tracking technology is permanently integrated into footwear, then tracking reliability is improved, but the cost of replacement or repair increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily substituted if damaged or malfunctioning. Rather than repairing expensive permanently integrated tracking systems, users can simply replace the affordable insole containing the tracking technology, significantly reducing repair costs while maintaining tracking reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer insole for removable placement in an article of footwear, the multilayer insole including a bottom insole layer having a top side, a top insole layer having an underside, an intermediate layer that is (a) an insole material layer, (b) a flexible circuit layer or (c) a bonding region for joining the bottom insole layer with the top insole layer, a location data receiving means for receiving an input signal relating to a location of the insole, and a location data transmitting means for transmitting an output signal relating to the location of the insole, wherein the location data receiving means and the location data transmitting means are both integrally associated with the multilayer insole. Also provided are a unitary insole, data transfer systems and methods of using them involving the different insoles and methods of manufacturing the different insoles.